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4 Tips For Biking With A Dog

  • 26/05/2021

Despite us walking our furry best friends a few times every day, a lot of dogs need even more exercise. A dog is meant to walk and run a lot. Walking isn't sufficient for them. Running can be a great exercise to not only incorporate into your own life but also your dogs. However, a lot of people don't enjoy the act of running. If so, you have perhaps an even more fun alternative which is biking. Biking with your dogs can be a great way to incorporate more exercise into their routine while allowing you to enjoy some fresh air at the same time.

The good news, biking with your dog isn't difficult at all according to Irish bike website Greenelectricscooters.ie. All you need is a bike, a leash, and some open space. However, you do want to ensure that you are adequately prepared to go on your biking journey. After all, there is some risk associated with it if you don't put in the time to properly train your dog. You need to train enough to ensure the activity is both fun and safe for each of you. That being said, once you and your dog are ready, it can be a great activity to incorporate into your daily life.

1. Know Your Dog's Ability

First things first, you need to know your dog. You need to know whether or not your dog has the requisite energy to be running around with you on a bike. If your dog is a high energy and active dog, then it's likely the perfect activity. No matter what your dog looks like, you should always ask your vet before starting any rigorous activity like this. You don't want your dog to have an undiagnosed condition get worse because you didn't take the right precautions. For instance, an older dog might not be able to run nearly as fast as they once did or they may have joint problems that could worsen from the activity. A good way to tell if it would work with your dog is to take them out for a short ride. See how your dog reacts and monitor them afterward. This will give you an indication as to their ability to keep up or not.

2. Start Slow

If you've ever seen a dog owner and their dog biking, it didn't happen overnight. You need to be certain that you are introducing your dog to the activity. They need to be ready to go out on bike runs before you go on a long one. If your dog hasn't been around a bike before, they're likely going to be apprehensive around it. You need to get your dog used to be around a bike. A good way to do this is by walking the bike as you walk your dog. You can then progress to riding the bike slowly for short distances. Try to gradually build your dog's stamina up until you can bike faster.

Continue to observe your dog frequently and halt at a moment's notice if you suspect he or she is getting tired. It isn't likely going to be a short process getting your dog used to being around a bike. After all, it's a very unusual thing that a dog likely hasn't seen before. You need to make sure that your dog is completely under control before you start going on bike runs. If your dog gets active and tugs when they get around other dogs, it's not worth the risk of going on a bike run because you could get hurt or lose your dog.

3. Care For His or Her Paws

You want to care for your pet's paws. Asphalt and other terrains can be very harsh. While dogs do have pads that are much tougher than your own feet, they aren't going to be able to withstand extremely hot asphalt in the summer months. You want to help to toughen up the pads on their paws by walking them on the pavement. Ideally, you want to try to mix up the terrain so they aren't always having to run on the rough pavement. A good investment would be dog boots. Boots can help to protect your dog's pads. After each bike ride, you should be checking on your dog's paws to ensure they are healthy. Different things can be on the pavement and other terrains that can cause your dog's paw's harm including nails, stones, wood, and more.

4. Bring Sufficient Water and Food

Whenever you are going out for a long bike ride and run, you'll want to ensure that you are properly equipped. You need to be bringing along sufficient water and snacks for both of you. Your dog is going to be extremely thirsty because he or she will be extremely active in keeping up with your bike. You want to bring a bottle of water for yourself and your dog. Getting a collapsible water bowl can be a good investment for times like this because it can give you an easy way to serve them water to keep them hydrated.

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